Work wraps up on Vatican showers, barber shop for homeless

The Vatican is finishing renovations on public restrooms just off St. Peter's Square that will include three showers and a barber shop for the homeless.

Each "homeless pilgrim." as Vatican Radio called the clients Friday, will receive a kit including a towel, change of underwear, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, razor and shaving cream. The showers will be open every day but Wednesday, when the piazza is full for the pope's general audience. Haircuts are available Mondays.

Barbers volunteering on their days off — Rome's barber shops are closed Mondays — as well as students from a local beauty school will be donating their time.

Francis' alms-giver, Monsignor Konrad Krajewski, has said the project is necessary since homeless are often shunned for their hygiene.